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There are two screening options to detect cervical cancer in SA, the Pap smear test, and the HPV DNA test. (HPV stands for human papillomavirus — a virus that can cause cervical cancer.) With both tests, cells are taken from the cervix and tested. The Pap smear test looks for abnormal cells that may develop into cancerous cells over time. The HPV test looks for the strains of HPV that are most likely to cause cancer. Currently, CANSA offers the Pap smear test. An HPV test may be requested from your healthcare professional.